The Science and Technology Facilities Council

Klaus Ertel

Michael Fitton

Tristan Davenne

A mount for an optical element such as in a laser, optical amplifier, or other optical system, is disclosed. The mount is a mounting vane () for cooling the optical element () by a fluid stream. The optical element may be a gain medium generating heat. The mounting vane comprises: an input section with a leading edge () for meeting the fluid stream; a diffuser section () which tapers to a trailing edge (); and a plane section () with an aperture for receiving the optical element () for cooling by the fluid stream, the plane section arranged between the input section and diffuser section, wherein the diffuser section () includes one or more flow guiding fins () protruding from the diffuser section. The mounting vane may be stacked with a plurality of other mounting vanes in a manifold. The shape of the vane plate results in a turbulent fluid flow improving the heat exchange between a laser disc heated by optical pumping and a cryogenic He gas used for cooling.

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Didcot, United Kingdom

Klaus Ertel